Dish: TBD

Chef Eric Eason

Company: UNCSA

Title: Professor - Film School

What can we find you doing when you're not whipping up a dish for Men Who Cook?

Teaching, writing, and yapping about filmmaking with young artists.

Why is it important to you to give back (to the SECU Family House)?

After my own family has faced serious medical challenges, I have an even deeper appreciation for any organization that helps families stay close to the people they love when it matters most.

What was the first thing you remember cooking?

I vaguely recall making homemade pizza by pouring Ragu sauce onto an English muffin and sprinkling it with mozzarella cheese.

Name a fun fact people may not know about you.

I am a culinary coward with the palette of a nine-year old.

Chef Darren Miller

Company: UNCSA

Title: Professor - Film School

What can we find you doing when you're not whipping up a dish for Men Who Cook?

Trying to find time for family, students, friends, and colleagues (all of whom I consider family and who treat me like family, too)! If you are reading this, you know who you are. If I haven't met you, and we have the beautiful opportunity to meet - welcome to the family! :)

Why is it important to you to give back (to the SECU Family House)?

There is nothing more important than giving back - it is what connects us generation-over-generation and ties our humanity together.

What was the first thing you remember cooking?

Eggs, eggs, and eggs with my mom - forever grateful. I also drank a gallon of milk every day growing up - so thanks to my mom and dad for providing that.

Name a fun fact people may not know about you.

In my earlier days, I had three nicknames:

• Stripe (based on the "Gremlins" film character)
• Ferris (based on the film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" although there was a lot of 'Cameron' in me, too)
• Wren (referenced to the main character in "Footloose" - also a little bit of a shortened version of my name that friends found convenient).

All three are, what I feel, a testament to my generous yet polite rebellious nature. Proud of that, humbly. Thanks to those who honored me with those references.

Maybe there is a Stripe/Ferris/Wren tattoo in my future. Hadn't thought about that until now when I wrote it, but intrigued, now that I did. (Will have to clear that with my wife :) ) Ha!

Please come and have a great time with us at the event. Please donate if you are able, and if not, please come celebrate life. As my man-cooking-partner, Eric, makes loose reference to in his comments - there is nothing more important than the family which envelops you, a whole community, when somebody close to you is going though a challenging life event. The SECU Family House is a testament to that in so many beautiful ways.